Download Introducing Statement, by Naim.

Introducing Statement, by Naim.
A British audio technology and design revolution lands in Las Vegas.
Today, high-end British hi-fi manufacturer Naim Audio unveils its new flagship home
amplification system to the world’s media at CES Las Vegas.
Comprising the NAC S1 preamplifier and two NAP S1 mono power amplifiers, Statement is
crafted without compromise for pure musical performance. Paired with a quality CD, vinyl or
digital music source, such as the reference Naim NDS, Statement forms the heart of a luxury
high-end hi-fi system capable of powering the world's most demanding loudspeakers.
Steve Sells, Naim’s Electronic Design Director, first conceived of the idea for the ultimate
amplifier over a decade ago and development began in earnest in 2011. Over the last three
years the whole amplifier topology, methodology and philosophy has been defined,
considered and refined by an experienced team of electronic, mechanical and industrial
design engineers from across Naim.
Naim Audio Ltd, Southampton Road, SP1 2LN. United Kingdom
www.naimaudio.com l [email protected] I +44 (0) 1722 426600
They started with a blank page to map out the product in free space with complete creative
freedom. New electronic design, innovative technologies and new manufacturing processes
have been developed from scratch and every material is sourced from the highest quality
suppliers. The result is an unforgettable listening experience.
Performance first precision engineering
The NAC S1 preamplifier and NAP S1 power amplifiers share the same fundamental layout.
A massive transformer in the lower section delivers clean stable power to sensitive audio
electronics housed above. This vertical design allows for optimum thermal performance and
accommodates the radical new layout by minimising electromagnetic interaction between
components whilst keeping the high current supply route as short as possible. Thermal
performance and optimum electronic and mechanical layout is vital to achieving premium
sound quality.
Each Statement power amplifier is rated at 746 watts (the equivalent of one horsepower) into
8ohms and weighs in at 101kg. They also have the finesse and dynamics to deliver every
watt exactly where and when it’s needed to offer an awe-inspiring musical experience.
A marvel of modern British engineering
Some of the critical hardware for the Statement NAP S1 power amplifier was developed in
collaboration with manufacturers of semi-conductors which are typically used in aerospace,
military and space exploration applications, such is the level of quality needed for the
ultimate sonic performance of the system.
The new output transistors use Aluminium Nitride (ALN) – a substrate that has ten times the
thermal conductivity of traditional aluminium oxide. In addition, the paste used to
ensure good thermal conductivity to the heatsink is nano-diamond based. Diamond conducts
heat 2.5 times faster than copper, as an example.
Naim Audio Ltd, Southampton Road, SP1 2LN. United Kingdom
www.naimaudio.com l [email protected] I +44 (0) 1722 426600
The Statement NAC S1 preamplifier also houses several technological innovations. This
includes the Naim Dual Volume Control which switches from an audiophile stepped resistor
system for best sound to a chip control which offers seamless volume transition the
millisecond the user touches and then releases the volume dial. The result is a volume
control which perfectly complements the Statement experience.
Above: Naim ALN transistors are fabricated in a specialist UK facility which also produces components for
aerospace, military and space exploration applications.
All critical audio electronics in the NAC S1, including the volume control are mounted
vertically on a suspension system to dissipate all microphonic interference and maintain
maximum signal fidelity.
The distinctive, sculptured heatsink of the NAP S1 power amplifier starts life as a single billet
of solid aluminium. It is then machined to achieve the general curve profile before the fins
are cut by a five-axis CNC machine which is continually doused with coolant over the course
of several hours. The metalwork then travels to a specialist supplier where it is
submerged in an electrolyte fluid containing black ink. A DC current is passed through the
solution causing a reaction which creates a perfectly even black coating around the
aluminium. Each piece is then painstakingly polished and inspected before being hand
assembled at Naim in Wiltshire. Each product is hand-wired and constructed by Naim
Audio’s skilled technicians.
Naim Audio Ltd, Southampton Road, SP1 2LN. United Kingdom
www.naimaudio.com l [email protected] I +44 (0) 1722 426600
Above: a heatsink section during anodising to hand-polishing and final inspection.
Naim’s Electronic Design Director, Steve Sells, was the lead engineer on the Naim
Statement project. “It’s a dream come true to actually make a product like Statement a
reality. It’s been in my sketch book for years and an ambition ever since I first started to
design amplifiers as a teenager. It’s a massive project. To really push the boundaries of what
we could achieve has required the efforts of teams from across Naim. Electronic,
mechanical and industrial design engineers with combined experience totalling well over a
hundred years have contributed to these products.”
Statement is scheduled for release in July 2014.
Prices will start from around £125,000 for the complete Statement system.
Naim Audio Ltd, Southampton Road, SP1 2LN. United Kingdom
www.naimaudio.com l [email protected] I +44 (0) 1722 426600
For further information please contact:
Patrick O’Shea
Marketing & PR Assistant
+44 (0) 1722 426 600
[email protected]
Download the Statement press kit including high resolution images here:
http://resources.naimaudio.com/?c=993&k=5077dc4596
The launch video is available to watch and share from YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6o-R8Qp5Ps
About Naim
Founded in 1973, Naim is an award-winning manufacturer of hi-fi based in Wiltshire, UK.
With a history rooted in engineering excellence, Naim has won the prestigious Queen’s
Award for Export on two occasions. Naim shares the same intense relationship with music
as its customers, a passion that is reflected in every hand-crafted product that leaves the
factory in Salisbury.
Naim maintains an exclusive partnership with Bentley Motors – the Naim for Bentley
premium audio system is available as an optional extra on all Bentley models. Naim also has
its own independent record label which offers high definition music for download from its
online store. Naim Label act Sons of Kemet won the MOBO Award for Best Jazz Act in
2013.
www.naimaudio.com
Naim Audio Ltd, Southampton Road, SP1 2LN. United Kingdom
www.naimaudio.com l [email protected] I +44 (0) 1722 426600